Return to The Caribbean
Return Home
Return to the World Directory
 

Puerto Rico

Your travel source with a personal touch!

Good information you can use for your visit to Puerto Rico. Just click on the topic below to find information you will need for your visit to Puerto Rico. General Information On Puerto Rico Getting To and Around Puerto Rico Cities, Towns and Areas of Puerto Rico Suggestions For Accommodations In Puerto Rico Suggestions For Things To See And Do In Puerto Rico Suggestions For Dining in Puerto Rico Favorite Places And Things To Do In Puerto Rico Books, Magazines and Other Information Puerto Rico Links World Wide Travel Related Links! Getting Away Travel Store - Travel Items and Accessories Discounts and Deals - Save Money, Buy on Line

Posters and Framed Art for Puerto Rico

General Information On Puerto Rico Puerto Rico, an island of about 3,500 square miles, is located in the eastern Greater Antilles. A U.S. territory since 1898, it became a self-governing Commonwealth in 1952. Travel to Puerto Rico and experience all the island has to offer including, hotels, paradores, beaches, sports, adventure, entertainment, culture, and history. This is the smallest island of the Greater Antilles, located in the eastern zone of the Caribbean. The island is partially covered by the incredible El Yunque Caribbean National Rain Forest, the only tropical reserve in the U.S. Puerto Rican heritage boasts a culture that is 2,000 years old and steeped heavily in diversity. The Puerto Rico section of the CIA World Factbook and Welcome to Puerto Rico websites are excellent resources for detailed information on this island, as is the Puerto Rico Tourism Company site. The People of Puerto Rico Language Passports, Visas and Entry Requirements Health and Safety Geography Climate and Weather Currency Electricity

Rincon Lighthouse, Puerto Rico Photographic Print Buy at AllPosters.com

The People of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has two thousand years of heritage with a culture that combines the native Taino culture with influences from Creole, Spanish, African, and American cultures. This interesting blend of culture can be heard in the musical sounds of La Bomba (Puerto Rican dance music) and La Plena (Puerto Rican folk music) that can be heard throughout the Puerto Rican streets. Many Puerto Ricans identify more with their island culture than with their national standing. This makes their independence a controversial topic for political discussion. Puerto Ricans are very proud of their heritage and love to talk about it. It is custom to always shake hands when meeting with the locals, and upon your leaving.

Language
Although Spanish is the main language spoken in Puerto Rico, you will also hear localized versions that contain African, Taino, and English terms. When visiting, it is appropriate to greet in Spanish as opposed to English, as it shows respect for the Puerto Rican culture. And it is always better to ask of a local if he or she speaks English before making an assumption.

Learn Spanish Today!  Isn't it time you learned another language? Spanish is fast becoming one of the most popular language in the world. Countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, North America and Africa have countries where Spanish is the local language. These countries include Spain, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cube, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Equatorial Guinea and Mexico. If you plan to visit any of these countries, why not learn the language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Click on Learn Spanish Today to see how you can get FREE SPANISH LESSONS!

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

Entry Requirements
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, so U.S. citizens* do not need a passport or visa. Canadian citizens should have birth certificate and photo ID if they do not bring a passport. Citizens of the U.K. as well as all other visitors will need a valid passport for entry.

 

Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency.

Health and Safety
The water here is potable and safe to drink. However, if you tend to have a sensitive stomach, you may prefer to stick to bottled water. It is always best to take precautions when traveling in place where you are not familiar with the locale. Petty crimes are a possibility in Puerto Rico. Using common sense, especially when traveling through small towns and narrow country roads, or when you are out at night, can help prevent purse-snatching and pick-pocketing. Beaches near major hotels can provide security that isolated beach rentals cannot, so make accommodation selections wisely.

Geography
Wherever you are in Puerto Rico, you will find breath-taking landscapes. The northern area of Puerto Rico is a naturally beautiful region filled with hills that offer beautiful views. The El Yunque Rain Forest, located in east Puerto Rico, has over 400 species living within its confines. The southern region, unlike the northern and eastern regions that are abundant in tropical vegetation, is more arid and rocky. The Guanica Dry Forest is just the opposite of the El Yunque Rain Forest, but there are also a lot of indigenous species found only in this area. Puerto Rico is also home of hundreds of beautiful beaches, with many of the most breath-taking in San Juan. Be sure to listen for the croaks of the coqui, a frog which is considered to be the national mascot of the island.

Climate and Weather
Puerto Rico shares with the rest of the Caribbean a lot of wonderful weather with the January temperatures ranging from 70 to 83 degrees. Even in the summer month of July the temperatures range a comfortable 76 to 88. Given the lush northern and eastern areas of the island, Puerto Rico experiences well over 50 inches of annual rainfall that support the El Yunque Rain Forest.

Currency
The U.S. Dollar is the official currency of Puerto Rico. Canadian currency is reluctantly accepted at some of the larger hotels. All major credit cards are also accepted in Puerto Rico.

Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare.  Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! 

Electricity
The electricity in Puerto Rico is the same as in the United States and Canada, which is 110-120 volts. Visitors from other areas of the world should bring converters and adaptors.

Getting To Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is the most accessible of the islands in the Caribbean with several airports. Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan handles the majority of tourist traffic. American Airlines, in fact, uses San Juan as the nucleus for its Caribbean travel connecting U.S. flights to less accessible Caribbean islands. In addition, airlines like Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and US Airways offer daily nonstop flights from the U.S. to Puerto Rico. Passengers from Europe can travel on Lufthansa, British Airways, and Iberia to San Juan.

Cruises are also available for travel to Puerto Rico; the most popular cruise lines include Carnival, Princess, and Norwegian. The impact of cruises is minimal in most areas of Puerto Rico, but San Juan, as the second largest sea port in the world, experiences more hustle and bustle than rest of the island.

For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.

Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

 

At Travelocity, not only can you find the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but Travelocity can often save you up to 20% or More on Airfares. You can also find the Best Car Rental Rates in Top Destinations. You can also find Great Hotel Rates At Top Destinations! And, to save even more, Book Air + Hotel Together and SAVE with Travelocity! You can also find Incredible Deals on the Best Cruises! Remember - Travelocity Always Saves You on Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Cruises and More.

Suggestions For Things To See And Do In Puerto Rico

San Juan

Get fantastic savings when you use the Entertainment Book. Save on dining, travel, attractions and much more. Over $10,000 possible savings for the cost of a $25 to $45 book with books for over 150 major metropolitan areas. Do what I do, buy one for the city or area where you live, and for your vacation destinations this year. The Entertainment book saves you money on all your travel needs: hotels, car rentals, airfare and more! Jim.

Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Suggestions For Dining in Puerto Rico
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Favorite Places And Things To Do In Puerto Rico
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add to this section of Getting Away, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Puerto Rico Links

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

2007 Travel Alert - Passports Needed for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean. Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Click here for the State Department Summary.  And, if you need a passport in a hurry, because you forgot to apply months ago when you should have and your trip is almost upon you, click on Passports In A Hurry, or on Passport Visa Express!